Meaning and Usage
The Korean word '사촌' refers to a cousin, a relative who shares a common grandparent but is not a sibling. It is a neutral term used in everyday conversation to talk about family members of the same generation.
Common Contexts
You will often hear '사촌' when discussing family events like weddings, reunions, or trips. It can refer to both male and female cousins without distinction.
Collocations and Patterns
- 사촌 형/오빠: older male cousin (used by males/females respectively)
- 사촌 누나/이모: older female cousin (depending on speaker's gender)
- 사촌 동생: younger cousin
- 사촌들과 함께: together with cousins
These collocations help specify the relationship more clearly.
Register and Politeness
'사촌' is a standard, polite term suitable for all levels of formality. It is commonly used in both casual and formal speech.
Common Confusion
Learners sometimes confuse '사촌' with '형제' (siblings). Remember, '사촌' means cousin, not brother or sister. To specify siblings, use '형제' or '자매'.